Just when you thought it was getting crowded at the top of the smartphone market, it's time to make way for another top contender -- this time from HTC.

The Droid DNA from HTC is the latest Android smartphone offering that tries to up the ante and get your attention, and I recently tested one out and am back with a full report as to how it compares to other big phones from competitors like Samsung, Apple and Motorola.

LOOKS

The Droid DNA is mostly your usual black slab phone, but it has the familiar red trim that is found on many HTC phone offerings, which looks somewhat attractive.

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The 5-inch screen is a bit slippery, so it's a good idea to have a case to protect it. The charging port is hidden under a little cover, which I don't believe was really necessary as it's sometimes hard to get shut.

Keeping with the size trend of recent phones, you get a large screen on the Droid DNA -- 5 inches to be exact, big enough for almost everyone's tastes (though some people may find it too big). The phone is still very thin (5.55" tall by 2.78" wide by 0.38" inches thick), so the weight is still a very manageable 5 ounces.

SCREEN

One highlight on this phone is the screen. The 5-inch display features an extra-sharp 1080p HD quality, a rarity on new smartphones. This provides a stellar view, whether you're using it to watch a video or movie, play a game, or just browse the Internet. The screen is also made of 2nd-generation Corning Gorilla Glass, so you don't have to worry about it breaking unless you give it a heck of a beating.

The sound on the DNA is pretty decent too, due to built-in Beats Audio like most new HTC phones have, but that difference is more noticeable when using headphones.

OPERATING SYSTEM

The operating system on the Droid DNA is Android 4.1 (aka Jelly Bean), the latest version of the Android OS. As usual with Android phones, the experience is very user-friendly, easy to learn and customizable to fit each user's habits..

You get all the Google features that come with Android phones (Google Now, Google Maps with Street View and Latitude; Google Talk with Video Chat; Gmail; Google Play Books; YouTube; Google Calendar, Google+, etc.)

The Google Play market offers hundreds of thousands of apps, both paid and unpaid, so whatever you're looking for should be represented among them.

PROCESSOR, STORAGE

What gets the motor humming inside this guy is the other highlight of the Droid DNA.

Translation: This phone is super fast. Multitasking is child's play with this kind of processor, so throw whatever you want at it -- it'll handle it just fine.

In terms of upload/download speeds, you're going to be relying on Verizon's well-regarded and speedy 4G network, so speed won't be a concern -- you won't be waiting long.

But here's the main problem on this phone: Limited storage.

There is just 16GB of internal storage (actually less due to preinstalled programs bringing that number down a few gigs), which is especially disappointing considering there is no capability of expansion via microSD card; because there is no microSD slot. Some people will want to store a lot of files on their phone and won't be able to with this small amount of storage. I get the point -- they want to push everything to the cloud with this kind of design and limited storage -- but i don't necessarily agree with it. The cloud is fine for some people when it comes to storing their files, but it also isn't the best option for others because it would require more use of data to access it. This one problem might drive away some customers who otherwise are in love with the Droid DNA.

CAMERAS, VIDEO

Overall quality of photos with the camera on the Droid DNA was among the best I've seen on recent phones. You get an 8 megapixel auto-focus rear camera with a flash, and a ton of settings that can be adjusted if you want to tinker in that arena.

On one setting, continuous shooting of up to 99 images is allowed due to HTC's ImageClip software. You can do high-quality panorama shots, too.

The camera on front of the phone comes in at 2.1 megapixels. Sharing your photos to social media or email or messaging, as so many of us do, is a breeze.

In terms of video, one unique aspect of the Droid DNA is that both the front and rear facing cameras provide 1080p HD video -- instead of having weaker front-facing video like most phones. This makes for more opportunities to capture high-quality videos from both sides, and from what I shot I was definitely impressed with the overall video quality.

While shooting video, still shots can be taken at the same time if a special moment happens while you are filming. Or you can do the same thing after the video is filmed -- make the still shots from the finished video.

The front camera was also designed with a wider view than some other phones to allow more people to filmed at once from that view.

PHONE CALLS, MESSAGING

Calls I made on the Droid DNA came through loud and clear on Verizon's network.

And in terms of messaging, the large screen provided ample room for typing on screen. Text, photos and videos can be sent via message, and a threading feature keeps your conversations linked.

OTHER

Like most new Android phones, the Droid DNA allows you to use NFC technology to share content (photos, videos, etc.) with another NFC-capable phone with a tap.

It's a global-ready phone, so you can use it it more than 200 countries if you're a traveler.

It's Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable, and for a monthly fee can serve as a 4G Mobile Hotspot for other devices.

PRICE

Pricewise, the Droid DNA is on par with most of its competitors at $199.99 with a new 2-year Verizon contract. If you want the phone without the contract obligation, you'll have to pay the full price of $599.99.

BATTERY LIFE

Battery life from the 2020mAh Li-Ion battery was solid compared to some other new smartphones. But it is nonremovable so there was no option to change battery, in case you wanted to pack a spare. Some of the competition allows that, so that's one drawback to this phone. .

VS. COMPETITION

Overall, the Droid DNA has a lot to like, and is on par with the top smartphones on the market (Samsung Galaxy S3, iPhone 5, Motorola Droid Razr HD). Since so many of these new phones are similar specwise, it comes down to the user experience, and I would recommend trying a few phones out and seeing if what HTC offers on the Droid DNA is better than the competition, of if something else strikes your fancy. Not everyone will have the same answer to that question.

If you're all about the storage, steer clear. If you're a cloud person and don't need much storage on the phone, you might be able to put that limitation aside and go with the DNA.

BOTTOM LINE

With its top-notch specs, including the quad-core processor and standout 1080p screen quality, the Droid DNA from HTC has the goods to be one of the big hits of the new year from Verizon, though its storage limitations and lack of a removable battery are some elements that might drive some customers away.

If you are willing to accept those things though, you'll find a lot to like in the Droid DNA by HTC.